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Pacific Northwest ski areas are experiencing their own “March Madness” as the wild weather is expected to continue over the next few days.

At least five strong weather patterns are lined up off the coast that should bring additional snow to the Cascades. The weekend will start off with light snow or rain showers along with windy periods, and a snow level staying down between 2,000 and 3,500 feet.

A deepening low pressure system is expected to move across the state Sunday, and likely generate moments of moderate to heavy snowfall along with strong winds. All ski areas are forecast to receive copious amounts of snow so powder seekers will find ample coverage with more than three feet coming in the next few days to Mount Baker.

The Mount Baker Ski Area was hit the hardest Thursday in the midst of one of the strongest wind storms ever recorded, but escaped with just minor damage. Historic winds topped out at 109 mph on summit of Pan Dome, and a sustained wind in the 60 to 80 mph range at the Heather Meadows Base Area. To view a video of the windstorm, go to http://www.mtbaker.us/snow-report/.

A gust of 101 mph was also recorded on the summit of Crystal Mountain Resort.

With daylight savings looming, it may seem like spring has finally sprung, but Mother Nature will prove otherwise. The long-range weather forecast calls for a cool and wet pattern through this month.

That is wonderful news for skiers and snowboarders who should find ample snow coverage at resorts that plan to keep the chairlifts running well into next month. Crystal Mountain Resort has already announced it plans to stay open daily until April 17.

Fresh powdery hillsides will remain for skiers and snowboarders to find the days to come. Photo courtesy of Mitch Winton at Coast Mountain Photography and Whistler-Blackcomb Resort.

Expected snowfall totals through Monday:

Mount Baker, 26-46 inches of new snow (500.5 inches for the season).

Summit at Snoqualmie, 9-17 (359).

Stevens Pass, 14-25 (364).

Crystal Mountain, 18-33 (452).

White Pass, 12-24 (307-365).

Whistler-Blackcomb, 3-9 (425).

Mount Bachelor, 10-21 (385.5-395).

At Mount Rainier National Park the road to Paradise at Longmire has extended hours (weather conditions permitting) on weekends from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. with uphill gate closing at 8 p.m. On weekdays the road is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and uphill gate closing at 5 p.m. The road to Paradise was open Thursday with traction tires advised, and all vehicles are required to carry tire chains

The snow-play sliding hill at Paradise will remain open through March 27 as conditions allow. Ranger-guided 1.8-mile snowshoe walks are available Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through March 27 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. outside of the Jackson Visitor Center. Winter backcountry, camping is available with a permit required. Be sure to check the website for road conditions and restrictions before heading up. Through Friday, Paradise was covered with 114 inches of snow. For updates, go to www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm.

It’s not the bobsled race, but sliding at the Paradise snow-play area on Mount Rainier is a thrill.

Montana: Whitefish Mountain Resort is open daily, with 103-inch base, and 276 inches this season. A total of 105 trails are open. It was snowing is heavily Thursday, but the skiing on the North Side and at higher elevations should be great. Conditions are variable and a little sloppy on the lower hillsides.